Tech CB Bagley happy but saddle sore to be with Red Raiders

LUBBOCK — Cornerback Brandon Bagley faced some unique challenges to join Texas Tech’s team in time for its first practice Monday afternoon.

Bagley, a transfer from the College of Sequoias (Calif.), rode a Greyhound bus for two days from his home in Compton, Calif., before arriving in Lubbock about 2 a.m. Monday — about 14 hours before his first practice started with his new team.

“He went through Phoenix, he went through El Paso,” Tech coach Tommy Tuberville said about his newest roster addition. “A guy who does something like that wants to play football.”

Bagley initially was recruited by Tech defensive backs coach John Lovett, who thought Bagley, like many other junior-college players, would have to graduate from his old school before he could transfer.

But after talking with him, Lovett learned that Bagley had qualified coming out of high school and would be eligible to transfer immediately.

The 5-foot-10, 155-pounder originally committed to Washington State. But he was convinced to come to Tech through diligent recruiting from Lovett.

“He’s thrilled to death to be here,” Lovett said. ” He’s a really good competitor, a good kid and a good worker. I’m thrilled that he’s here.”

Despite his lack of experience in the Tech program, Lovett expects Bagley to contribute to the team during the upcoming season.

And for a team scrambling for depth in the secondary, Tuberville is happy for any roster addition at those positions.

“We’re very fortunate to get him,” Tuberville said. “It’s one of those situations where it kind of worked out in the end. We haven’t had that luck the last few years. It’s good to have something fall our way right before the season starts.”